Biodiversity-Strategy-January-2023

24 7.0 Biodiversity: It’s Our Duty & Our Responsibility It is important that all sectors accept responsibility for ensuring that action for biodiversity is integrated fully into their work. The Council can continue to provide leadership and direction , acting as an exemplar of good practice. The Council will seek to embed best practice across all of its operations, ensuring that we play our part in enhancing local biodiversity in everything we do. We already collaborate internally by working across all relevant departments on key service areas and as such have an internal officer working group e.g. Biodiversity Team, Parks Team, Cuilcagh Lakelands UNESCO Global Geopark. The Council acknowledges the contribution and commitment of each of our partners. Each have made great strides in their respective work for biodiversity and further information about the Steering Group’s work and other organisations can be found via the links provided in Appendix 3 - Finding out more about Biodiversity Action in Northern Ireland. 7.3 Our Biodiversity Story So Far The previous LBAP covering the 2016-20 period outlined over 100 actions divided across Habitat and Species Action Plans, collectively aiming to: • Help conserve and enhance local habitats and species • Raise awareness and knowledge of local biodiversity • Involve local people and develop partnerships in the delivery of the Fermanagh and Omagh Local Biodiversity Action Plan The delivery of the Fermanagh and Omagh LBAP saw many practical actions for habitats and species on Council estate as well as a significant rise in awareness and engagement. Highlights include new woodland planting, meadow management, habitat and species surveys, red squirrel conservation, protection and mitigation for bat roosts, mitigation for smooth newts and invasive species control. A full summary of Biodiversity Actions and Best Practice achieved to date are displayed in Appendix 2 – Our Biodiversity Story so far. Usingpeatbased compost isoneof themostenvironmentallydamaging activities that thegardenercanundertake.Ourbogs are aunique and threatenedhabitat,home to specialisedplants and animals and are important feature in thisFermanagh and OmaghLBAP.So forpeats sake,gopeat-free! You canhelp stop thedestructionofourpreciousbogs. Bats areoneof the smallestmammals inNI, commonly found inbuildings, trees, caves andbridges.Despite theirwidespreadoccurrence, theyare afforded Europeanprotectiondue to their sensitivity tohabitat change andvulnerability topersecution.Key threats include lossof roost sites such asbuildings, trees, bridges, foraging areas,wildlife corridors andpoisoning. Bats canbe seen inmanyhabitats throughout the district; along rivers and lakes, inwoodlands, inyour gardenoralong ahedgerow in the lateevening. RedSquirrelshave found refuge in coniferous forestsbut can stillbe found indeciduous woodland.Theirvarieddiet includesnuts, seeds, berries and fungi.Theyare anendangered speciesdue to the threats that thegrey squirrel poses includingdisease andout-competition. Reds are found throughoutCo.Fermanagh in gardens,woods and forests and some remnant populations are found inGortinGlenForest Park andDrumquin area.More single records of reds arebeing submitted closer toOmagh town,Tempo andothervillages throughout. Fermanagh and Omagh Local BiodiversityAction Plan ● Helping to conserve andenhance localhabitats and species ● Raising awareness and knowledgeof localbiodiversity ● Involving localpeopleanddevelopingpartnerships tohelpdeliveraction forbiodiversity Red Squirrels LocalActions LocalActions LocalActions ● Support theworkof local red squirrelgroups including theFermanaghRedSquirrelGroup andWestTyroneRedSquirrelGroup ● CelebrateRedSquirrelWeekeachOctober ● Work inpartnershipwithNGO’s and public landowners to seekviable solutions to thegrey squirrel threat ● Educateonbestpractice in supplementary feeding reds Bats ● Runbatwalks and talks across the district to raise awareness ● GuideCouncil andotherorganisationson their legislativedutieswith regardsbats anddevelopment ● Signpostpublic in aidofhelp ifgrounded or injuredbats are found ● Surveypublic spaceseachyear to identify roost sites and key foraging areas Bumblebees Bumblebees and solitarybees canbe found in awide rangeofhabitatsbut arenormallyassociatedwith flower richgrasslands,heaths,vibrantgardens and species richhedgerows.With thedeclineof species richgrassland andhaymeadows inourdistrict, there is littlenatural food forbees in thewidercountryside, meaningparks andgardens areevenmore important as food reserves.Tohelpourbeesweneed to start plantingbetterflowers for them, restore and replant wildmeadowareas and recordwhichoneswe see. Swifts are fascinatingbirds that arehere for just3-4 months ayear fromMay–August.Theyhave aunique ability todrink,eat,bathe andeven sleepon thewing, only landing intentionally tobreed andnest.They return eachyear to the samenest,bringing a littleextramaterial stuckonwith saliva.Significantdeclines arepartiallydue to the lossofnest sites asbuildings are lostor renovated. Swifts canbe seenevery summer inflocks as they take part in screamingpartiesover rooftops inEnniskillen and Omagh towns,Derrygonnelly,Lisnaskea andbeyond. LocalActions MAKEYOUR GARDEN POLLINATOR FRIENDLY ● Inpartnership,manage key road-sideverges to createbetterwildlife corridors ● Trialpollinator friendlyplants in publicparks andgardens ● Encourage thepublic tomake their gardensmorebee friendly ● Support thePollinatorPlan2015-2020 and Junior PollinatorPlan2015-2020 www.biodiversityireland.ie/projects/irish-pollinator- initiative/all-ireland-pollinator-plan/summary/ Swifts ● Raise awareness andencourage thepublic to takepart in swift recordingeach summer ● Monitor importantnesting sites and identifynewnest sites ● Encouragebusinesses andpublic organisations toerect swiftboxesor swift bricks intoneworexistingbuildings ● Trial theuseof swift sound systems to attract swifts tonew sites ● Provide advice and signposting toprojects that need swiftmitigationduring renovationworks Wildlife inYourGarden See the fullFermanaghandOmagh LocalBiodiversityActionPlanonlineat: fermanaghomagh.com/residential-services/biodiversity Everyonecanhelpbiodiversitya littlebymakinga fewchanges inour gardens;whether it is feeding thebirds,plantinga few trees,orsowing somewildflowers,youcandoone thing forbiodiversity. Gonative ifyouplant a treeorahedge inyour garden to supportournativebirds, insects and mammals.Pick fromberry rich rowan trees, nectar rich cherriesor trustyoldhawthorn to getnatural food and important shelter into yourgarden.Formoretips see www.tcv.org.uk/northernireland/environment/ biodiversity/advice/native-trees-your-garden Trees Plants&Flowers Ifyouhave little space,plantwildflowers in containerpotsorwindowsillboxes to add agreat splashofcolouratyour frontdoor.Thesewill attractbees and butterflies,providingmuchneedednectar throughout the summer.There aremany flowers andplantsyou canget fromyour localgarden centre thatwill supportbees andbutterflies.Make sure topick single- floweredplants so insects can reach the nectarmoreeasily;grownight-scented plants to attractmoths and in turnbats; andplant foreach season–bees and butterfliesneed a long seasonofnectar- richplants.See butterfly-conservation.org formore information. We all love towatch a robinhoke for worms, abluetit stealing spiders from a wallorblackbirdsmaking shortworkofyour blackcurrantbush, sowhynothelp themeven more andmakeyourgardenbird friendly.Plant more trees and shrubs thatproduceberries, erect anestbox toprovide shelteranddon’t forget theirhygienebymaking ahome-made birdbath.Lookup https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/ makeahomeforwildlife/ formore fantastic ways tohelpwildlife inyourgarden.You can feed thebirds toowitheverything frombought nuts and seeds, tooldpasta scraps,hard cheese,bruised apples andmore.Whynot makeyourownbird feeder too?Download lots of ideas tohelpbirds andotherwildlife from www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/naturedetectives/ Watch theBirdie Create a5 starhome forbugs inyour garden andget the childrenenthusiastic aboutwhatwildlife theycanentice.Using naturalmaterials, straw,hollow stemmed plants,oldpallets,bamboo sticks,garden waste andotherodds and sods,build a logpileor fullblownhotel.Pick aquiet corneraway fromyourtidyareas,build it and leave forwoodlice, bees, ladybirds and slugs to move in. BugHotels ForPeatsSake–GoPeatFree Water isessential forall life– all speciesofanimal andplant need tobe able to access it.Having awater feature inyour gardenwill attract species thatyouwouldotherwisenotget,or ensure thewildlife thatdoesvisit,will stayaround abit longer! Ifyouhave space forapond,greatbutbemindfulof safety for young children.Orwhynot tryout apond in abucket that is sunk into theground?Everychance toprovide freshwater inyour garden isvital to species like frogs,newts andevendragonflies. Formore advice andtips see freshwaterhabitats.org.uk Ponds ● Iceplant (sedum) ● Lavender ● Michaelmasdaisy ● Oregano/marjoram ● Redvalerian ● Aubretia ● Field scabious ● Scabious ● Bramble ButterflyConservation’s TopNectarPlants Buff-tailedBumblebee EarlyBumblebee Red-tailedBumblebee CommonCarderBumblebee GardenBumblebee White-tailedBumblebee FACTFILE ● There are20 speciesof bumblebees in the island of Ireland andonly1 speciesofhoneybee ● Onlygirlbees sting! ● Thebees favourite colour ispurple ● Withoutbees, crops like strawberries, apples and tomatoeswouldn’tgrow ● Mostpeoplewill commonly see6different species in theirgardens; red-tailedbumblebee, white-tailedbumblebee, buff-tailedbumblebee, gardenbumblebee, earlybumblebee and common carderbee ● Downloadyour recording card for free and start helping today! http://biodiversityni.com/ publication/ bee-recording-sheet FACTFILE ● Swiftshave ‘no feet’! Well theyhavetiny feet only forclinging towalls but can’tperchorwalk ● Reportshaveestimated that swiftnumbershave plummetedby47% in theUK in last10years ● Whynotgoon a swift findingmission?Look out for the screaming parties atdusk fromMay –August and keep aneye to seewhichbuildings swifts arenestingon ● Checkout www.saveourswifts.co.uk formoredetailed informationon swifts inNI FACTFILE ● There are8 speciesof bats inNorthern Ireland ● Femalebatsonlyhave onebabybatperyear ● Bats arenotblind! ● Batsuseecholocation to navigate andfind food ● Findout lotsmore at www.bats-ni.org.uk includingwhat todo ifyou find a sickor injuredbat ● Apipistrellebat can eatover3000midges eachNIGHT! FACTFILE ● Squirrelsdonothibernateoverwinter ● It is thought a squirrel can tell agoodnut from a rottennut byweighing it in itspaws ● The red squirrel is aprotected species inNorthern Ireland ● Redsbuild anest called a ‘drey’ in the forkofa tree and line itwithgrass and leaves ● Findoutmore abouthow tohelpyour local red squirrels at thiswebsite www.fermanaghredsquirrelgroup.com ● Record sightingsof red andgrey squirrelsonline at www2.habitas.org.uk/ records/squirrels www.idesignni.com |Tel:02882240149 Doyourbit for Biodiversity RecordLocalWildlife Helpbuild abetterpictureof local biodiversityandbecome awildlife recorder!Record any sightingsof important wildlife and report thesedirectly to theUlsterMuseum’s recording centre, CEDaR www.nmni.com/CEDaR VolunteerandGetStuck In If it’s treeplanting, scrub clearanceoreven haymaking, there areopportunities to volunteernearyou.Organisations such as TheConservationVolunteers,RSPB,National Trust andUlsterWildlifehave conservation projects throughout theFermanagh and Omagh area thatyou canget involved in. Garden forWildlifeonYourOwnPatch Have ago atwildlifegardening andenjoy the smallwonders inyourownpatch.From plantingflowers forbees andbutterflies to creating ahedgehoghaven, there are many small thingsyou cando tohelp. Get Involved inaCommunityProject Communitygroups canhelpdeliverprojects forbiodiversity;whether it is creating a wildlifegardenorplanting community woodlands,yourgrouphaspotential. GrowWildonYourFarm Any landownercanhelpprotect and enhancewildlifebymaking small changes inmanagement.Whynot leavefield marginsuncut forbirds and insectsorcut hedgerows late in the season, so seeds andberries are available towildlife. ReportWildlifeCrime Incidents such asdestroyingnests,dumping andwaterpollution shouldnotbe ignored, as thesehave an impactonbiodiversity. Contact the followingplaces ifyou suspect awildlife crimehasbeen committed. ● Killingordisturbingprotected species shouldbe reported toyour localPSNI office (ring101on a landline). ● WaterPollutionHotline forurgent incidents.Tel:0800807060. ● Groundedor injuredbats inyour building,please callCEDaR (Centre for EnvironmentalData andRecording). Email: cedar.info@nmni.com, or telephone:02890395264. Acknowledgements TheFermanagh andOmaghLBAPSteering Grouphaveprovided invaluable advice throughout thedevelopmentof the LBAP.Thanks areextended to themany individualswho tooktime to respond during the consultationphases. Thereareanumberofways inwhichyoucanget involvedandplayavital part inconservingandenhancingFermanaghandOmagh’sbiodiversity. FloweringTrees Lawnwith someweeds Potswithherbs • Shrubs thatflower inSpring&Autumn • Bee friendlyplants -Lavender,Comfrey,Catmint • Don’tusepesticides Areawith longgrass Fruit trees, strawberries, tomatoes, courgettes,peas Solitarybee nestbox Areasof lawnuncut Shrubs thatflower inAutumn-Winter Tofindoutmore about theFermanagh andOmaghLBAPorhow you can DOYOURBIT forbiodiversity,please contact: Fermanagh andOmaghBiodiversityOfficer FermanaghandOmaghDistrictCouncil LisnamallardHouse,OldMountfieldRoad,Omagh,Co.TyroneBT797EG Tel: 03003031777 Email: julie.corry@fermanaghomagh.com Websites: www.fermanaghomagh.com | www.biodiversityni.com Hazelnut©LaurieCampbell Commonpipistrelle ©LaurieCampbell Sopranopipistrelle©LaurieCampbell ©Biodiversityireland.ie Red-tailedbumblebeeand carderbee© JohnBreen Swifts©GeoffCampbell Red squirrels©LaurieCampbell Bandeddemoiselle©GeoffCampbell S m o o t h n e w t © B r a d R o b s o n A section from the Fermanagh and Omagh Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2016 -2020. https://www.fermanaghomagh.com/app/ uploads/2016/07/Fermanagh-and-Omagh- Local-Biodiversity-Map.pdf